Immediate Fete Ban Outside Carnival Period Declared

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has announced an immediate ban on fetes at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and Jean Pierre Complex outside of the defined Carnival period. The prime minister has directed the Attorney General and the Minister of Sport to enforce the new rule, with exceptions only from the Thursday before Carnival Monday and Tuesday to the Saturday after. Going forward, all parties and fetes at Ministry of Sport facilities must start no earlier than midday and end by 10 pm. The National Carnival Commission has also been instructed to employ acoustic engineers to limit noise and vibrations in neighboring areas. This decision follows a similar ban on all fetes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy due to complaints about unbearable noise levels. The government is also planning to pass new fireworks legislation and enhance noise pollution laws by the year’s end, which will establish quiet hours and new restrictions on fetes, music trucks, residential parties, and bars.